Wholistic Paws Veterinary Services

10/23/2026

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10/22/2026

Meet Lucy. She likes going for walks with her Mom. During her treatment, she enjoyed licking her treat puzzle while getting laser, acupuncture, and some massage for hip discomfort. Enjoy your walks pretty girl!!

10/21/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1JeYu5qHyY/

🐾 Nail Length & Its Impact on Canine Biomechanics

Have you checked your dog’s nails recently?

Long nails do more than just click on the floor—they can significantly influence your dog’s posture, movement, and overall musculoskeletal health.

When nails are left untrimmed, they don’t just affect the paw—they can impact the entire kinetic chain.

Why Nail Length Matters

🟢 Alters Joint Angulation & Posture

Overgrown nails force the toe pads upward and backward (caudally), shifting weight proximally within the limb.

This disrupts normal limb loading and can lead to:

* Postural adaptations
* Altered joint alignment
* Compensatory movement patterns

📖 Reference: Zink & Van D**e (2013), Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation

🟢 Impacts Gait & Reduces Stability

If nails contact the ground during stance, they can:

* Cause toe splaying
* Reduce effective ground contact
* Compromise traction

This may increase the risk of:

* Slipping
* Soft tissue strain (tendons/ligaments)
* Secondary compensatory issues

📖 References: Touch Animal Rehabilitation (2020); Canine Body Balance (2021)

🟢 Increases Musculoskeletal Load

Chronic postural change can contribute to:

* Myofascial tension
* Uneven joint loading
* Increased risk of conditions like Osteoarthritis in dogs

Particularly relevant in:

* Senior dogs
* Sporting/working dogs
* Orthopaedic cases

📖 Reference: Veterinary Clinics of North America (2020)

✅ Quick Nail Check

Ask yourself:

✔️ Do the nails touch the ground when your dog is standing?
✔️ Can you hear them tapping on hard flooring?

If yes—it’s time for a trim.

🟢 Clinical Insight

Nail length is often overlooked, yet it’s one of the simplest modifiable factors affecting biomechanics.

In practice, I frequently see improvements in:

* Postural alignment
* Limb loading symmetry
* Movement quality

…simply by addressing nail length alongside soft tissue work.

🟢 When to Seek Help

If your dog:

* Is reluctant to walk on certain surfaces
* Slips frequently
* Shows subtle gait changes
* Dislikes nail trimming

Support from a qualified professional (groomer, vet, or therapist) can make a significant difference.

🔍 Learn More

• Canine Body Balance Blog
https://caninebodybalance.com.au/journal/canine-nail-length-and-the-effects-on-biomechanics

📩 Get in Touch

If you’re noticing changes in posture or movement and suspect nail length may be contributing, I offer clinical musculoskeletal assessment and tailored treatment plans.

📧 [email protected]
📞 07418 082 240
🌐 www.emccm.co.uk

10/20/2026

Jeremy and I came across this beautiful sand sculpture at the Parksville Sand Sculpture competition, and I couldn't stop thinking about its title: Beauty is in the Process.

Not Beauty is in the finished product.

Beauty is in the process.

There is something about that idea that feels especially meaningful to me during this sabbatical as Jeremy and I experience life in a different way for this season.

I feel that so many of us are so often focused on the finished thing.

The goal.
The accomplishment.
The healed place.
The answer.
The summit.

We want to know that all the effort will be worth it.

But so much of life happens in the middle.

In the trying.
In the learning.
In the awkward first attempts.
In the changing and reshaping.
In the moments when we aren't quite sure what we're making yet.

And perhaps the most remarkable thing about a sand sculpture is that the artists know from the beginning that it isn't permanent. They create something extraordinary knowing that, eventually, the wind, rain, tide, or time will change it. And somehow, that doesn't make the beauty less meaningful. Maybe it makes it more so?

So perhaps we don't have to wait until everything is finished to appreciate our lives. Maybe there is beauty in the process of becoming, too.Wherever you are in your process today, I hope you can pause long enough to notice it. And not just where you're headed, but where you are.

Because there is beauty here, too. ❤️

10/19/2026

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Which one of these do you hope autumn will bring? 🍁

10/16/2026

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10/15/2026

This is Dax. He doesn’t even notice he is getting his spinal manipulation therapy from Dr Powell when there is frozen, yummy peanut butter to lick! Good job sweet boy!

10/14/2026

🐾 Wholistic Paws Veterinary Services is Hiring! 🐾
We’re looking for a self-motivated, reliable assistant to join our team! This role includes administrative and office tasks, clinic upkeep, and assisting our doctors.
We’re a team-oriented, small animal holistic veterinary practice offering acupuncture, rehabilitation, spinal manipulation, and herbal medicine. 🌿🐶🐱
What we’re looking for:
• Comfort working with dogs and cats is a must!
• Veterinary experience is a bonus.
• A positive attitude, initiative, and a team-player mindset.
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 10 AM–6 PM, with some flexibility. We’re open to hiring one full-time person or two part-time team members!
Interested in joining our team? We’d love to hear from you! ❤️ Please send your resume and inquiries to: [email protected] to learn more or apply!
Please share with anyone who might be a great fit! 🐾

10/14/2026

10/13/2026

Celebrating the harvest… and bringing summer’s bounty to your pet’s bowl!

There is something wonderful about this time of year—the abundance of fresh vegetables, fruits, and herbs reminds us just how much goodness can come from the earth. And it makes me think about our pets' bowls, too. For many healthy dogs, adding a little fresh, whole food to a complete and balanced diet can be a wonderful way to bring nutrition, variety, moisture, and enrichment to mealtime.

You can choose from a variety of foods- grass fed, organic meats; cooked or finely chopped broccoli or cauliflower (for liver detoxification support); dark green leafy veg such as spinach, kale or chard (also for liver detoxification support), button or shiitake mushrooms (for vitamin D) are all excellent choices to add to their meal time repertoire. A few blueberries or apple pieces (without the seeds) as snacks can support the brain and muscles respectively. Fresh culinary herbs such as basil, thyme, rosemary, sage or oregano also support muscles, especially as our pets age. You can even incorporate other herbs such as turmeric or ginger for pets with musculoskeletal pain or stiffness!

One very important reminder: not everything that is good for us is good for our dogs. Never share onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, or macadamia nuts with your dog—they can be toxic! And, as always, introduce new foods gradually and consider your individual pet's health and nutritional needs. The doctors at Wholistic Paws Veterinary Services can help!

Our pets share so much of our lives. Why not share a little of the harvest with them, too? 🌱🐾